Mobile container-receiving tray, and combination, for traversing walled pathways, and pathway component master board

ABSTRACT

A tray and container, for traversing walled pathways includes a first device (a container for holding goods) nested within a second device (a container-receiving tray). The tray has a frame with bottom, sidewalls and open top, and at least four ground wheels, and at least four bumper wheels located on the sidewalls. There is also a pathway component master board for creating a plurality of pathway components of different shapes from it. The master board has a predetermined outer shape, an under support of honeycomb walls and a plurality of pathway component walls intersecting the honeycombs. The pathway component walls have shapes of diverse pathway components, including at least two diverse arcuate pathway turntable components.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part application of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/530,353, by the same inventor herein, namely, Wallace J. Crowley, Jr., Docket No. WJC-102C, filed on Jan. 3, 2017, titled “MULTITRACK STORAGE SYSTEM WITH CENTRAL TERMINUS” which is itself a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 15/330,440, by the same inventor herein, namely, Wallace J. Crowley, Jr., Docket No. WJC-101A, filed on Sep. 22, 2016 titled “MULTITRACK STORAGE SYSTEM WITH CENTRAL TERMINUS”, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,944,463 B2, issued on Apr. 17, 2018.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION a. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to movable trays that carry storage containers for traversing walled pathways, and are especially useful in storage systems for personal, business or commercial use. These container-receiving trays are wheeled trays with at least four bottom wheels and four bumper (side) wheels. In some preferred embodiments, the present invention trays have connection means wherein they may be removably connected to one another to create a train of container-receiving trays. The present invention also includes the aforementioned trays in combination with containers. These containers may be storage containers, with or without separate or connected lids, boxes, such as file boxes or moving/storage boxes, open containers, such as laundry baskets or other baskets, or sacks, such as backpacks, knapsacks, duffle bags and plastic trash bags, with goods for storage. The invention further contemplates pathways to storage facilities as described in grandparent and related cases, that employ unique sections. Thus, the present invention includes pathway component master boards that may be broken down, by cutting, rotor cutting, computer-controlled cutters, laser cutters or other means, to create individual pathway components from the master boards, including, but not limited to sections of pathway turntables and pathway travel junctions.

b. Description of Related Art

The following patents are representative of the field pertaining to the present invention:

The present inventor has two related issued patents. They are U.S. Pat. No. 9,896,268 B1, titled “Multitrack Storage System for Open Crawl Space” which issued on Feb. 20, 2018 and U.S. Pat. No. 9,994,463 B2, titled “Multitrack Storage System with Central Terminus” which issued on Apr. 17, 2018.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,893,623 B2 to Gordon describes a multi-track multi-vehicle coaster that simulates a popular theme of a competition, struggle or conflict taken from history or fiction. The vehicles interact with each other and interact with the ride scenery in many different ways. The vehicle velocity is altered at different points in the ride using multiple motors and brakes. An interactive queue is provided and allows people in the queue to interact with people on the ride. Energy recycling and computer ride control are also disclosed.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,980,181 B2 to Heaslip et al. describes a drag racing roller coaster amusement ride that has at least two sets running rails, each set having at least one running rail and an embark point. At least two carriers (109) are arranged to carry at least one rider on a respective set of running rails with the rider(s) in a substantially prone position. Each carrier is arranged to slidingly engage with the respective set of running rails to enable the carriers to traverse the ride. The ride has an indicator (109) to provide a ride commencement indication. A launch system is configured to provide a powered initial motion to each carrier. Each carrier has a ride activator controllable by a rider of the carrier to trigger the launch system to commence the ride for the carrier following the ride commencement indication. Launch systems are also disclosed.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,372,451 to Rasmussen et al. describes a gravity-feed merchandise storage and delivery rack that includes upstanding support columns and a plurality of vertically-spaced storage shelves mounted upon the support columns by means of mounting clips; each storage shelf includes rearward and forward side frame members interconnected by splice members including offset portions so that the forward side frame member is offset outwardly with respect to the rearward side frame member to facilitate passage of merchandise thereby; an intermediate guide member on the storage shelf having a pin adjustably positioned thereon and extending downwardly therefrom to engage in openings in a channel member extending transversely of the storage shelf; and a shelf support infinitely adjustable upon an intermediate support column for supporting an elongated storage shelf intermediate the front and rear thereof.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,347,791 to Mandros describes a guideway system for cargo including vehicles is provided wherein a carriage glides on a rail mounted in a channel. The rail has compressed air discharge ports and vacuum intake ports positioned longitudinally therealong. The compressed air ports emit sufficient air to provide an air support cushion under the carriage and to impart positive air pressure behind it while the vacuum ports reduce the air pressure forward of the carriage to create an air pressure differential that propels the carriage along such rail. Vehicles drive onto a carriage, are secured in place and are conveyed to a desired station on such carriage. The vehicle then unloads from the carriage and drives off to its final destination. Similarly, other cargo is loaded onto a carriage and unloaded at its destination. In another embodiment, the carriage has a longitudinal slot in its underbody adjacent its support rail and compressed air is discharged from ports in the rail at the forward portion of the slot to propel the carriage along the rail.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,203,368 to Haskins describes an apparatus for moving loads from one position to another, employing an arrangement of a plurality of loop and/or spur tracks supported from above and having terminals converging in a direction of a pivot point having secured thereat a radial transfer track having a free swinging end adapted to couple with any of the loop and/or spur tracks to effect transfer of a hoisted load supported on one of the tracks, to another track via the radial transfer track. The radial transfer track is supported, adjacent its swinging end, on an arcuate support track which is concentric to an arcuate line passing through all of the converging terminals of the loop and/or spur tracks.

United States Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0015223 A1 to Banwart describes a powered converter trolley for movement and attachment of trailers that is provided. The trolley comprises a conventional converter trolley having a drawbar. The trolley has a power supply and operates as a towing device. The trolley connects to a freight trailer and can be raised or lowered from a stored position to a ground-engaging, working position. Alternatively, the wheels of the trolley may be powered for providing motion to the trolley. The trolley further comprises several attachment devices for securing the trolley to an intermodal railcar, including alternative hydraulic, mechanical, and electrically-powered tie down devices. A trolley movable along a railcar is provided for securing the trolley or trailer to the railcar and includes a hitch component for selectively interconnecting to a hitch component on the trolley or trailer.

United States Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0038575 A1 to Wu describes an autonomous personal transportation system for moving passengers and light freights which is constructed with a track network and small vehicles on the track network. There are a number of stations and stops for loading and unloading on side tracks off the mainline of the track network. The vehicle width is limited to a dimension for one seat. The vehicles can be coupled statically or dynamically to form a train. The track has side rails for the rigid wheels of the vehicle and a central rail for centering the vehicle on the guideway and providing additional acceleration and braking capability. The control system for the movement of vehicles is divided into three levels: the central control system, the wayside control system and the vehicle control system.

Notwithstanding the prior art, the present invention is neither taught nor rendered obvious thereby.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a movable tray to hold a storage container for traversing walled pathways, including: a) a tray frame having a bottom and sidewalls and an open top, the tray frame having an imaginary midline that defines a center, wherein there is a forward section in front of the midline and an aft section behind the midline; b) at least four ground wheels connected to the tray frame adjacent to the tray frame bottom for movement along any surface below the bottom of the tray frame, at least two of the at least four ground wheels being in the forward section and at least two of the four ground wheels being in the aft section; c) at least four bumper wheels connected to the tray frame for movement along any surface aside the sidewalls, at least two of the at least four bumper wheels being in the forward section and at least two of the four bumper wheels being in the aft section.

In some embodiments, the present invention is a container-receiving tray and container, for traversing walled pathways. This includes a first device nested within a second device, the first device being a container for holding goods; and, the second device being a container-receiving tray, with the following structure: a) a tray frame having a bottom and sidewalls and an open top, the tray frame having a predetermined maximum width, predetermined maximum length, and a predetermined maximum height, wherein the predetermined maximum height is less than the predetermined maximum width, and the tray frame having an imaginary midline that defines a center, wherein there is a forward section in front of the midline and an aft section behind the midline; b) at least four ground wheels connected to the tray frame adjacent the tray frame bottom for movement along any surface below the bottom of the tray frame, at least two of the at least four ground wheels being in the forward section and at least two of the four ground wheels being in the aft section; c) at least four bumper wheels connected to the tray frame for movement along any surface aside the sidewalls, at least two of the at least four bumper wheels being in the forward section and at least two of the four bumper wheels being in the aft section.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention container-receiving tray and container, the container is selected from the group consisting of an open carrying container, a box, a storage container with an attached lid, a storage container with an unattached lid, and a sack.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention container-receiving tray and container, the ground wheels are caster wheels that rotate on both a vertical axis and a horizontal axis.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention container-receiving tray and container, the bumper wheels are wheels having a non-vertical axis of rotation within the range of minus 45 degrees to plus 45 degrees from horizontal.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention container-receiving tray and container, the bumper wheels are wheels having a non-vertical axis of rotation within the range of minus 20 degrees to plus 20 degrees from horizontal.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention container-receiving tray and container, the tray has four ground wheels and four bumper wheels.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention container-receiving tray and container, the tray frame has a male and a female connector located on opposite sides of the imaginary midline.

In some preferred embodiments, the present invention is only the container-receiving tray, which compromises: a) a tray frame having a bottom and sidewalls and an open top, the tray frame having a predetermined maximum width, predetermined maximum length, and a predetermined maximum height, wherein the predetermined maximum height is less than the predetermined maximum width, the tray frame having an imaginary midline that defines a center, wherein there is a forward section in front of the midline and an aft section behind the midline; b) at least four ground wheels connected to the tray frame adjacent the tray frame bottom for movement along any surface below the bottom of the tray frame, at least two of the at least four ground wheels being in the forward section and at least two of the four ground wheels being in the aft section; c) at least four bumper wheels connected to the tray frame for movement along any surface aside the sidewalls, at least two of the at least four bumper wheels being in the forward section and at least two of the four bumper wheels being in the aft section, wherein there is an imaginary peripheral straight line connecting two of the bumper wheels, with the two of the bumper wheels being positioned so that the imaginary peripheral straight line crosses the imaginary midline and is outside the top view footprint of the tray frame.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention container-receiving tray, the tray sidewalls are tapered outwardly towards their tops to permit nest-stacking of a plurality of the container-receiving trays.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention container-receiving tray, the ground wheels are caster wheels that rotate on both a vertical axis and a horizontal axis.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention container-receiving tray, the bumper wheels are wheels having a non-vertical axis of rotation within the range of minus 45 degrees to plus 45 degrees from horizontal. In some preferred embodiments of the present invention container-receiving tray, the bumper wheels are wheels having a non-vertical axis of rotation within the range of minus 20 degrees to plus 20 degrees from horizontal.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention container-receiving tray, the tray has four ground wheels and four bumper wheels.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention container-receiving tray, the tray frame has a male and a female connector located on opposite sides of the imaginary midline.

In another version of the present invention, a pathway component master board for creating a plurality of pathway components of different shapes therefrom. The master board has a top, a bottom and sidewalls, and having a predetermined outer shape, having an under support of honeycomb walls and having a plurality of pathway component walls intersecting the honeycomb walls, the pathway component walls having predetermined shapes of a plurality of pathway components, including at least two diverse arcuate pathway turntable components.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention pathway component master board, the master board is made of a material selected from the group consisting of wood, plastic, metal, composite, and carbon fiber.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention pathway component master board, the plurality of pathway component walls includes at least three arcs of fixed radius of curvature for creating three distinct pathway turntable segments.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention pathway component master board, the plurality of pathway component walls includes at least two straight line of pathway component walls for creating pathway turntable segments.

Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention may be set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the detail description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing some of the features and options of a present invention moveable storage container-receiving tray for traversing walled pathways;

FIG. 2 is a top view schematic diagram of a present invention moveable storage container-receiving tray for traversing walled pathways showing the relationships among the various wheels and the bin;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a present invention moveable storage container-receiving tray for traversing walled pathways that includes fully extended bumper wheels;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the present invention container-receiving tray for traversing walled pathways shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of a present invention tray with the moveable storage container nesting therein, for traversing walled pathways with the bumper wheels positioned on the sides of the tray and ground wheels on the bottom of the tray;

FIG. 6 shows a top view of another present invention tray for traversing walled pathways that has flat side walls and bumper wheels on the corners;

FIG. 7 shows a side view of a present invention moveable tray and storage container for traversing walled pathways with the bumper wheels below the tray at the corners;

FIG. 8 shows a side view of an alternative embodiment present invention set of stackable trays for traversing walled pathways;

FIG. 9 shows a partial rear-cut view of a present invention container-receiving tray for traversing walled pathways, showing the pathway and pathway walls and the relationships of the ground wheels and the bumper wheels;

FIG. 10 shows another alternative embodiment of a present invention container-receiving tray for traversing walled pathways, wherein the bumper wheel is at an angle of about 10° from vertical;

FIG. 11 shows a side cut view of a present container-receiving tray wherein the tray is molded to include an internal recess and mount hole for mounting bumper wheels, such as by snap-fit insertions;

FIG. 12 shows a bottom view of a prior art rectangular ramp that has a plurality of support risers created by intersecting lines to form smaller rectangular honeycombs and larger diamond shaped honeycombs;

FIG. 13 shows a bottom view of a ramp similar to that of FIG. 12 but with many linear and curved walls added to create a present invention pathway component master board;

FIG. 14 shows a top view of a cutting template that may be printed on the top of the present invention master board;

FIG. 15 shows the master board on FIG. 13, but cut into two different pieces, the top being a pathway turntable component;

FIGS. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22 show other cut pathway components from the master board of FIG. 13;

FIG. 23A shows a top view of a pathway turntable using numerous components taken from a plurality of master boards such as is shown in FIG. 13, and FIG. 23B shows a cut front view taken along cut line G-G of FIG. 23A;

FIG. 24 shows a top view of a left turn fork pathway using present invention master board components;

FIG. 25 shows a top view of a right turn fork pathway using present invention master board components; and,

FIG. 26 shows a top view of a double fork pathway with left turn, right turn and straight options using present invention master board components.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The following issued patent, by the present inventor herein, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety: U.S. Pat. No. 9,994,463 B2, titled “Multitrack Storage System with Central Terminus” which issued on Apr. 17, 2018.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring now in detail to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, various embodiments of the present invention are shown.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing some of the features and options of the present invention moveable container-receiving tray for traversing walled pathways, Block 1. It includes a tray frame, Block 3, with side walls, a bottom and open top. From a top view foot print, Block 4, the tray frame has a predetermined width, height and length. The tray is intended to be a low-profile device into which a storage container is nested (placed into). Block 5, the height is less than the width, and more preferably, the height of the tray frame is less than half of the width. In the most preferred embodiments, the height of the tray is less than 25% of the width. For example, if a tray frame is 24 inches wide and 36 inches long, it's height is preferably less than 6 inches. The containers that are nested into the trays are broadly defined (anything that holds goods and that can be put into the tray) and include storage containers, with or without separate or connected lids, boxes, such as file boxes or moving/storage boxes, open containers, such as laundry baskets or other baskets, or sacks, such as backpacks, knapsacks, duffle bags and plastic trash bags. The present invention trays may have any shape, such as round, oval, rectangular, square, polygonal or asymmetric. Critical features of the present invention tray include at least four ground wheels, Block 7, and at least four bumper wheels, Block 9. The ground wheels rotate on a non-vertical axis within a broad range, and the bumper wheels rotate on a non-horizontal axis within a broad range. By “ground wheels” is meant wheels that generally rotate on the ground, such as a floor, ground, concrete pad, ramp, or on a pathway, such as with walls. By “bumper wheels” is meant wheels that ride along or deflect off walls. There are at least four ground wheels that typically run on a horizontal axis, thus, non-vertical, and may deviate from horizontal broadly by ±45° and preferably by ±20°. There are at least four bumper wheels that typically run on a vertical axis, thus, non-horizontal, and may deviate from vertical broadly by ±45° and preferably by ±20°. The invention also includes the combination of present invention trays with containers nested therein, Block 8.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a plural wheeled present invention tray 11 for traversing walled pathways. It has an imaginary midline A-A which defines its center. There is an aft section 17 of the tray 11 behind midline A-A and a forward section 19 of the tray 11 in front of midline A-A. The try 11 has a bottom 15 and side walls 13. The aft section 17 of the bin 11 has at least two ground wheels and at least two bumper wheels. The forward section of the tray 11 has at least two ground wheels and at least two bumper wheels. The wheels may be of different sizes, materials and weight ratings. The placement and quantity of the wheels on the container may vary depending on the dimensions, shape and weight requirements of application specifications.

FIG. 3 is an example of the top view of a plural wheeled present invention tray 21 for traversing walled pathways. FIG. 4 shows a side view of tray 21, and parts identical in both FIGS. 3 and 4 are identically numbered. Tray 21 has an imaginary midline B-B that defines its center. There is an aft section 35 and a forward section 33. Tray 21 has a bottom 23 and it has side walls 25, 27, 29, and 31. This tray 21 has two bumper wheels 41 and 45 in the aft section 35 along with two bumper wheels 43 and 47 in the forward section 33 of the tray 21. There are mounting brackets 49 on all four bumper wheels of said tray. There are also four ground wheels on tray 21 (not shown).

FIG. 4 is a side view of the present invention moveable tray 21 shown and described in FIG. 3 above. Reference numbers in this figure that show identical components that are in FIG. 3 are identically numbered. In this figure, two of the four ground wheels are shown, specifically, wheels 51 and 53, and the two bumper wheels 41 and 43 are also shown. As can now be seen, the bumper wheels are positioned on the side walls above bottom 23. These bumper wheels could be located higher than shown, lower or be attached to bottom 23 or even lower, such as being attached to the brackets that support the ground wheels. Also, FIG. 3 shows width W and length L, and FIG. 4 shows height H, as can be seen by comparing the two Figures, the height of the tray frame H is a fraction of the tray frame width W (less than 25%). This enables stacking and storage advantages, as well as weight and other advantages, such as the ability to receive larger irregularly shaped, bulky or even overhanging loads while maintaining low centers of gravity.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the present invention moveable tray 21 shown in the previous two Figures, but now having a storage container 20 nested therein. Parts identical to those in FIGS. 3 and 4 are identically numbered. Container 20 has a main container body 22 and a lid 24, but may be any storage container, e.g., a trash bag with winter skiwear stored therein.

FIG. 6 is an example of the top view of a plural wheeled present invention tray 61, for traversing walled pathways. The tray 61 is rectangular in shape. It has an imaginary midline C-C that defines its center. There is an aft section 62 and a forward section 64. It may be noted that “front” and “back” walls and “forward” and “aft” sections are relative. For purposes of illustration, in all figures, assume travel from left to right. There are sides 63 and 65 of the tray 61 along with the front end 69 and the back end 67. There are two aft bumper wheels 71 and 73, and two forward bumper wheels 75 and 77. There are four caster type ground wheels on the bottom of the tray (not shown). The clearance lines are K, L, M and N. These establish the apparent footprint for travel of tray 61 and this shows clearances needed for travel forward, backward or sideways down a pathway, hall, slide or track.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a moveable plural wheeled tray 101 of the present invention with a storage container 110, for traversing walled pathways. The tray 101 is rectangular in shape. There is a side 105 of the tray 101 and another, opposing side (hidden, not shown) along with the ends 107 and 109. There is a bottom 111. There are four bumper wheels. Two bumper wheels 115 and 117 are shown. The other two bumper wheels are hidden and thus are not shown. Two caster ground wheels 113 and 119, of four, are shown. They are located on bottom 111. Additionally, two bumper wheels 115 and 117, of four, are shown with axles projecting downwardly from bottom 111. Unlike prior figures, these bumper wheels are not attached to side wheels, and, additionally, are located on corners so that they act as both side and front/rear bumper wheels. In this embodiment, container 110 has a main storage bin 112 and a removable snap lid 114.

FIG. 8 is a side view of four asymmetric present invention moveable storage trays 130, 140, 150 and 160, for traversing walled pathways. These trays are rectangular from a top view, but could be hexagonal, oval, circular in shape or otherwise, without deviating from the scope of the present invention. Tray 130 has a main frame 131 with bottom caster wheels 133 and 134. Two other bottom wheels are hidden from view. There are four bumper wheels, two of which are hidden and include bumper wheels 135 and 138. Tray 130 also has frame cutouts 137 and 139. These cutouts are off center and will receive in and nest into trays with 180-degree orientation difference. For example, tray 140 has a tray frame 141, caster wheels 143 and 144 and bumper wheels 145 and 149. It also has cutouts 147 and 148. These are biased to the left whereas cutouts 137 and 139 of tray 130 above are biased to the right. Likewise, trays 150 and 160 are biased right and left, respectively. Tray 150 and tray 160 have tray frames 151 and 161, bottom wheels 153 and 154, and 163 and 164, respectively. They also have bumper wheels 155 and 159, and 165 and 169 respectively, as well as cutouts 157 and 159, and 167 and 168, respectively. By the trays being alternatively rotated, each of the bumper wheels are above the cutouts of the tray below and thus will nest securely and compactly as indicated by the arrows.

FIG. 9 is partial cut end view of a present invention moveable tray 201 for traversing walled pathways with nested storage containers. It shows a portion of tray 203, one of at least four ground wheels, namely, ground wheel 205, and one of at least four bumper wheels, namely, bumper wheel 207. There is a cut-a-way section of a pathway base 213 and pathway side wall 211. The tray 203 is showing a caster type ground wheel 205 and a side mounted bumper wheel 207, which is mounted to side 209. As can be seen, the tray 201 may be pushed along pathway base 213 and bumper wheels, such as bumper wheel 207, will prevent tray 203 from damaging or otherwise stopping by friction along wall 211.

FIG. 10 is an example of the end/corner view of a plural wheeled tray 221 of the present invention for use in combination with storage container (not shown), for traversing walled pathways. There is a cut-a-way section of a base 233 and side wall 231. The tray 221 has a tray frame 223 and is showing a caster type ground wheel 225 and a side mounted bumper wheel 227, which are both mounted to the caster type ground wheel assembly wheel base 235. The side mounted bumper wheels are wheels having a non-horizontal axis of rotation within the range of minus 45 degrees to plus 45 degrees from vertical.

In FIG. 11, there is another alternative embodiment present invention movable storage container-receiving tray 250 that includes frame 251 with side wall 253, front wall 255 and bottom 257, as well as other aspects that are not shown. Bottom 257 has a caster wheel 259 that is attached by conventional means, such as bolts, rivets, screws, heat welding, etc. Side wall 253 has a molded indented bumper wheel receiver slot 261 that is made during the plastic molding, machining or other construction process and has receiving wells 263 and 265, such that when bumper wheel 267 is pushed into receiver slot 261, the bumper wheel axle ends fit into wells 263 and 265 to allow rotation but not allow removal of bumper wheel 267.

The trays described above are used in conjunction with pathways similar to the ones shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 9,994,463 B2, titled “Multitrack Storage System with Central Terminus” set forth above that is incorporated herein by reference and has the same inventor as the present application. The incorporated reference describes wheeled containers, whereas the present invention involves a low-profile wheeled tray that receives and transports containers. Thus, the vehicles in the incorporated references are different from the present invention vehicles. However, the storage pathways are the same. Of particular interest are the forks in the pathways and also the turntables for directing moveable devices down different pathways. The present invention is further directed to enhancements for creating pathway turns and pathway turntables of the type incorporated herein by reference.

As background to the present invention master boards, note that walkways, ramps, catwalks, and other similar structures are often made with thin top sheets and thin outer side walls, yet are constructed to support tremendous weights. To achieve significant weight support, such structures have thin, intersecting repeating pattern walls commonly known as honeycombs. FIG. 12 shows a bottom view of a prior art rectangular ramp, which when used as a runway for movement of present invention trays are referred to as pathways. In FIG. 12, pathway 400 has, on its bottom, a top sheet 401, front wall 403, side walls 405 and 407, and rear wall 409, as well as side-to-side parallel honeycomb walls, such as honeycomb wall 415, parallel end-to-end walls such as end-to-end honeycomb wall 413. In addition, there are crisscross honeycomb support walls such as support wall 417. FIG. 12 shows a bottom view of pathway 400 and, if turned over for a single view, would be a single smooth surface 411. The significant number of honeycombs would prevent sag. A fifty-pound weight might sag such a device without the honeycombs, yet with the honeycombs such a device would support well over 2,000 pounds and not sag. Pathway 400 would be turned over and siderails added to create desired pathways for the present invention trays described above. Rather than making eight or ten different molds to form different pathway components, the present invention master board has been developed to provide for eight or more different components that can be cut from it. However, to enhance structural integrity, multiple component walls are also formed on the underside of the pathway so that when cut into individual components these components will have strong, continuous outer walls. As a simple example, if a circle of about three quarters of the width of prior art pathway 400 is cut, the cut piece would have jagged honeycomb cut sections and no vertical outer wall. But if a molded wall circle were cast with the honeycomb, it could be cut with the resulting circle having a closed continuous circular wall. This is the underlying concept of the present invention master board. The objective of the present invention is to create a master board that has conventional rib wall under supports coupled with additional walls shaped to conform to desired components, such that when each such component is cut from the master board, the resulting cut component has smooth, continuous side walls, rather than jagged, exposed support ribs.

In FIG. 13 a bottom view of present invention pathway master board 402 is shown. In addition to the desired now added pathway component shapes, it has all of the elements shown in prior art pathway 400 of FIG. 12. In this regard, identical elements from FIG. 12 are identically numbered here in FIG. 13 and need not be repeated. The individual pathway components that may be cut from present invention pathway master board 402 are not fully described in conjunction with this FIG. 13 but are instead fully described as shown with respect to the figures below. Newly added to present invention pathway master board 402 are angled straight walls 421 and 423, that are used to create left and right base turntable components. There are also an arc wall 425 and six other arc walls such as walls 427, 431, 435, and 439. In addition, there are other straight-line walls such as walls 429 and 433. The details and functionalities of components created by cutting along these walls enables a user to create many components from single molded present invention pathway master board 402.

The pathway components cut from FIG. 13 may be achieved by a number of different techniques. For example, pathway master board 402 of FIG. 13, with its bottom facing up could be cut by handsaw, jigsaw, router, laser, or other hand or mounted tool. Alternatively, pathway master board 402 could be turned over with its smooth side up and cut with templates. These templates could be individual component shapes clamped to the pathway and used as a guide for routing or cutting. FIG. 14 shows another alternative. This would be a printed pattern pathway template 450 with identical parts identically numbered.

FIG. 15 shows the master board 402 of FIG. 13 that has been cut along wall 425 to create pathway components 404 and 406, both of which are used in a pathway turntable shown in FIG. 23A.

FIG. 16 shows a bottom view of pathway component 408 and FIG. 17 shows the mirror image pathway component 410, wherein identical parts are identically numbered and not repeated here. Both of these are used in a pathway turntable shown in FIG. 23A.

FIGS. 18 and 19 shows opposing arc pathway arch components 412 and 414 and FIG. 20 shows forward arc pathway component 406. These are likewise used in the pathway turntable shown and described below in FIGS. 23A and 23B.

FIGS. 21 and 22 show mirror-image pathway turn components 430 and 432. These are not used as pathway turntable components, but are used for pathway forks for right and left turns.

FIGS. 23A and 23B should be taken together. FIG. 23A is a top view of a turntable for a distribution system and FIG. 23B shows a front view thereof taken along cut line G-G, wherein the cuts from a plurality of present invention master boards 402 of FIG. 13 are shown. First, note that it cannot be seen in FIG. 23A that part of the turntable is two thicknesses of board and other parts are one thickness. Looking at both Figures reveals that the (rotating) center piece and the outer arches are two thicknesses and to the left and the right of the center piece are one thickness to create a rotation recess. Keeping in mind that FIGS. 13 through 20 show bottom views and when they are flipped over for use in top views, they become reversed images. The top and bottom layers of FIGS. 23A and 23B are made from a total of six master boards 402 of FIG. 13. The left most bottom layer is made by cutting along template line 421 of 402 of FIG. 13. This piece becomes pathway component 408 of FIG. 16. This becomes the base for the distribution system turntable of FIG. 23A. The center bottom layer is an uncut master board 402 of FIG. 13. This becomes the base for the distribution system turntable of FIG. 23A. The left most upper layer is made by cutting along template lines 421 and 439 of master board 402 of FIG. 13. This piece becomes component 414 of FIG. 19. Component 414 of FIG. 19 becomes two exits with rails 509 and 511, 517 and 519, and are shown as bumper walls for traversing the selected pathways on the distribution system turntable of FIG. 23A. Thus, the bottom layer of FIGS. 23A and 23B are made of master board cut component 408 from FIG. 16, an uncut master of FIG. 13 and a component master board cut component 410 from FIG. 17. The top layer has the center cut piece from FIG. 15, namely the rotating component 404, and arc components 414, 406 and 412 taken from FIGS. 19, 20 and 18 respectively. Rails 501 and 503, 505 and 507, 509 and 511, 513 and 515, 517 and 519, and 521 and 523, as shown as bumper walls for traversing the selected pathways. As described in the incorporated patent, the mobile device (a wheeled container or a wheeled tray with a container) is placed on the turntable and component 404 is rotated to align with the chosen pathway and then moved onto the pathway.

FIG. 24 shows a top view of a left turn fork pathway using present invention master board components 402 from FIGS. 13 and 432 from FIG. 22. Rails 531, 533, 535, 537 and 539 have been added. (These may be attached by heat welding plastic, screwing or bolting metal or wood or casting L-shaped rails with attachment orifices in the bottom of the L-shape, or otherwise attached by any known means.) FIG. 25 shows a top view of a right turn fork pathway using present invention master board components 402 from FIGS. 13 and 430 from FIG. 21. Rails 541, 543, 545, 547 and 549 have been added. FIG. 26 shows a top view of a double fork pathway with left turn, right turn and straight options using present invention master board components from the previous two Figures wherein identical parts are identically numbered. The fork components of FIGS. 24, 25 and 26 may be deployed as described in the above incorporated reference and may be a wheeled container or a wheeled tray with a container.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those particular embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the shapes of the various components herein may be changed; the components molded into the master board may be different or additional or less, without exceeding the scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A container-receiving tray and container, for traversing walled pathways, which compromises: a first device nested within a second device, A. said first device being a container for holding goods; and, B. said second device being a container-receiving tray, with the following structure: a) a tray frame having a bottom and sidewalls and an open top, said tray frame having a predetermined maximum width, predetermined maximum length, and a predetermined maximum height, wherein said predetermined maximum height is less than said predetermined maximum width, and said tray frame having an imaginary midline that defines a center, wherein there is a forward section in front of said midline and an aft section behind said midline; b) at least four ground wheels connected to said tray frame adjacent said tray frame bottom for movement along any surface below said bottom of said tray frame, at least two of said at least four ground wheels being in said forward section and at least two of said four ground wheels being in said aft section; c) at least four bumper wheels connected to said tray frame for movement along any surface aside said sidewalls, at least two of said at least four bumper wheels being in said forward section and at least two of said four bumper wheels being in said aft section.
 2. The container-receiving tray and container of claim 1 wherein said container is selected from the group consisting of an open carrying container, a box, a storage container with an attached lid, a storage container with an unattached lid, and a sack.
 3. The container-receiving tray and container of claim 1 wherein said ground wheels are caster wheels that rotate on both a vertical axis and a horizontal axis.
 4. The container-receiving tray and container of claim 1 wherein said bumper wheels are wheels having a non-vertical axis of rotation within the range of minus 45 degrees to plus 45 degrees from horizontal.
 5. The container-receiving tray and container of claim 4 wherein said bumper wheels are wheels having a non-vertical axis of rotation within the range of minus 20 degrees to plus 20 degrees from horizontal.
 6. The container-receiving tray and container of claim 1 wherein said tray has four ground wheels and four bumper wheels.
 7. The container-receiving tray and container of claim 1 wherein said tray frame has a male and a female connector located on opposite sides of said imaginary midline.
 8. A container-receiving tray for traversing walled pathways, which compromises: a) a tray frame having a bottom and sidewalls and an open top, said tray frame having a predetermined maximum width, predetermined maximum length, and a predetermined maximum height, wherein said predetermined maximum height is less than said predetermined maximum width, said tray frame having an imaginary midline that defines a center, wherein there is a forward section in front of said midline and an aft section behind said midline; b) at least four ground wheels connected to said tray frame adjacent said tray frame bottom for movement along any surface below said bottom of said tray frame, at least two of said at least four ground wheels being in said forward section and at least two of said four ground wheels being in said aft section; c) at least four bumper wheels connected to said tray frame for movement along any surface aside said sidewalls, at least two of said at least four bumper wheels being in said forward section and at least two of said four bumper wheels being in said aft section, wherein there is an imaginary peripheral straight line connecting two of said bumper wheels, with said two of said bumper wheels being positioned so that said imaginary peripheral straight line crosses said imaginary midline and is outside the top view footprint of said tray frame.
 9. The container-receiving tray of claim 8 wherein said sidewalls are tapered outwardly towards their tops to permit nest-stacking of a plurality of said container-receiving trays.
 10. The container-receiving tray of claim 8 wherein said ground wheels are caster wheels that rotate on both a vertical axis and a horizontal axis.
 11. The container-receiving tray of claim 8 wherein said bumper wheels are wheels having a non-vertical axis of rotation within the range of minus 45 degrees to plus 45 degrees from horizontal.
 14. The container-receiving tray of claim 11 wherein said bumper wheels are wheels having a non-vertical axis of rotation within the range of minus 20 degrees to plus 20 degrees from horizontal.
 15. The container-receiving tray of claim 8 wherein said tray has four ground wheels and four bumper wheels.
 16. The container-receiving tray of claim 11 wherein said tray frame has a male and a female connector located on opposite sides of said imaginary midline.
 17. A pathway component master board for creating a plurality of pathway components of different shapes therefrom, which comprises: a master board having a top, a bottom and sidewalls, and having a predetermined outer shape, having an under support of honeycomb walls and having a plurality of pathway component walls intersecting said honeycomb walls, said pathway component walls having predetermined shapes of a plurality of pathway components, including at least two diverse arcuate pathway turntable components.
 18. The pathway component master board of claim 17 wherein said master board is made of a material selected from the group consisting of wood, plastic, metal, composite, and carbon fiber.
 19. The pathway component master board of claim 17 wherein said plurality of pathway component walls includes at least three arcs of fixed radius of curvature for creating three distinct pathway turntable segments.
 20. The pathway component master board of claim 19 wherein said plurality of pathway component walls includes at least two straight line of pathway component walls for creating pathway turntable segments. 